Up to the Challenge

When the Civil War (1861–1865) began, only men were allowed to fill the role of nurses in the armies. Most male nurses were simply soldiers who had been wounded and could no longer fight. They were directed to help the doctors, but they knew little about sanitary issues.

When the war did not end quickly, both the Union and the Confederate armies became overwhelmed. They were not prepared to take care of so many ill, hungry, and wounded soldiers. Compassionate women found out about the awful conditions. They pleaded with military authorities to allow them to help. As mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters, they thought of their loved ones lying wounded on a field without any comfort.

Although most women did not have